US20080295994A1

US20080295994A1 - Heat-dissipating fin assembly and assembling method thereof

Info

Publication number: US20080295994A1
Application number: US12/068,840
Authority: US
Inventors: Cheng-Chih Lee; Yu-Hung Huang; Chin-Ming Chen
Original assignee: Delta Electronics Inc
Current assignee: Delta Electronics Inc
Priority date: 2007-05-28
Filing date: 2008-02-12
Publication date: 2008-12-04
Also published as: TW200847908A

Abstract

A heat-dissipating fin assembly including a first fin and a second fin is provided. Each of the first fin and the second fin respectively includes a body, a bending part and a connecting part. The bending part is bent from an end of the body to form a turning portion along a predetermined direction. The connecting part, located near a turning portion of the bending part from the end of the body, extends opposite to the predetermined direction. When the first fin is connected to the second fin, the connecting part of the first fin is connected with the second fin. Also, an assembling method of the heat-dissipating fin assembly is provided.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Non-provisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) on Patent Application No(s). 096118928, filed in Taiwan, Republic of China on May 28, 2007, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a heat-dissipating fin assembly and an assembling method thereof. In particular, the heat-dissipating fin assembly, and the assembling method thereof capable of producing less waste material during manufacturing process and maintaining a stable structure, a controlled size and a perfectly fit connection with other heat-dissipating structures.
2. Description of the Related Art
With technological development, electronic products are being required more and more functions. As electronic products are developed to provide better performance, the amount and integration of required electronic components increases, thus it raises more heat. Therefore, heat-dissipating efficiency directly affects reliability and lifetime of the electronic components and products.
A conventional heat-dissipating method is to utilize fins as a heat-dissipating device. Referring to FIGS. 1A-1C, the conventional fin 1 is a body 10, and when the fin 1 is formed by stamping, two cutting portions 11 are cut off at two ends of the body 10, respectively. A portion of the body 10 is bent to form a protruded fastening member 12. As shown in FIG. 1C, the fastening member 12 is a hook structure. The fastening member 12 has an opening 13 corresponding to the body 10. When the two fins 1 are arranged adjacently, the fastening member 12 of one fin 1 is buckled the opening 13 of the other fin 1, allowing multiple fins 1 to be assembled to form a fin assembly.
Referring to FIGS. 2A-2C, another conventional fin 2 is shown. When the fin 2 is formed by stamping, two cutting portions 21 are cut off at two ends of the body 20, respectively. A portion of the body 20 is bent to form a first fastening member 22 and a second fastening member 23. As shown in FIG. 2C, the first fastening member 22 is bent and protruded from the body 20, and the first fastening member 22 is an annular structure. The second fastening member 23 is formed on the other side of the first fastening member 22 facing opposite to the body 20. The second fastening member 23 is a plate structure. When two fins 2 are arranged adjacently, the first fastening member 12 of one fin 2 is buckled the second fastening member 23 of the other fin 2, allowing multiple fins 2 to be assembled to form a fin assembly.
The described fins 1, 2 are formed and produce cutting portion 11, 21, which become waste materials. Therefore, it increases material costs. In addition, the connection between the fins is not completely and firmly buckled since there is a space therebetween. The fins may fall off and decrease structural intensity of the entire fin assembly. Furthermore, the space between the fins causes floating solder between other components and the fin assembly, and it decreases heat-dissipating efficiency.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the objective of the present invention is to provide a heat-dissipating fin assembly and assembling method thereof with less waste material, enhanced structural intensity of the entire fin assembly, and enhanced firm connection with other connecting components.
The present invention provides a heat-dissipating fin assembly. The heat-dissipating fin assembly includes a first fin and a second fin. Each of the first fin and the second fin includes a body, a bending part and a connecting part. The bending part is bent from an end of the body along a predetermined direction to form a turning portion. The connecting part, located near the turning portion of the bending part from the end of the body, extends opposite to the predetermined direction. When the first fin is connected to the second fin, the connecting part of the first fin is connected with the second: fin.
The present invention provides an assembling method for the heat-dissipating fin assembly. The step includes: stamping a sheet material to form a first fin and a second fin, wherein each of the first fin and the second fin includes a body, a bending part and a connecting part; the bending part, bent from an end of the body along a predetermined direction to form a turning point to form a turning portion; the connecting part, near the turning portion of the bending part from the end of the body, extending opposite to the predetermined direction; arranging the first fin and the second fin straight and upright in order; and connecting the first fin with the second fin, wherein the connecting part of the first fin is connected with the second fin.
As described, the heat-dissipating fin assembly and the assembling method thereof of the present invention is accomplished by welding the arranged fins, arranged by a driving tool, after the stamping of the fins. Therefore, the heat-dissipating fin assembly includes an enhanced structure, which will not easily fall off. Additionally, when the heat-dissipating fin assembly is welded to other components, floating solder can be eliminated.
A detailed description is given in the following embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention can be more fully understood by reading the subsequent detailed description and examples with references made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a front view of a conventional fin;

FIG. 1B is a schematic illustration of the fin in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is a partially enlarged view of portion A of the fin in FIG. 1B;

FIG. 2A is a front view of another conventional fin;

FIG. 2B is a schematic illustration of the fin in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C is a partially-enlarged view of portion B of the fin in FIG. 2B;

FIG. 3A is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a heat-dissipating fin assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a partially enlarged view of portion C of the heat-dissipating fin assembly in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A is a schematic illustration of an another embodiment of the heat-dissipating fin assembly of the present invention; and

FIG. 4B is a partially enlarged view of portion D of the heat-dissipating fin assembly in FIG. 4A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A heat-dissipating fin assembly and an assembling method thereof are provided with relevant figures.
Referring to FIGS. 3A to 3B, FIG. 3A is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of the heat-dissipating fin assembly of the present invention, and FIG. 3B is a partially enlarged view of portion C of the heat-dissipating fin assembly in FIG. 3A. The heat-dissipating fin assembly 3 includes a first fin 3 a and a second fin 3 b. Each of the first fin 3 a and the second fin 3 b includes a body 30 a, 30 b, a bending part 31 a, 31 b and a connecting part 32 a, 32 b. The bending part 31 a, 31 b is formed by bending an end of the body 30 a, 30 b along a predetermined direction N. The connecting part 32 a, 32 b is located near a turning portion T of the bending part 31 a, 31 b in the end of the body 30 a, 30 b and extends opposite to the predetermined direction N. When the first fin 3 a is connected to the second fin 3 b, the connecting part 32 b of the second fin 3 b is connected with the first fin 3 a.
The connecting part 32 a, 32 b extends opposite to the predetermined direction N to form an end including a welding surface 33 a, 33 b. The bending part 31 a, 31 b includes an end surface. When the first fin 3 a is connected with the second fin 3 b, the end surface of the bending part 31 a of the first fin 3 a is connected with the welding surface 33 b of the connecting part 32 b of the second fin 3 b. Because the bending part 31 a, 31 b is bent from the body 30 a, 30 b to form a guiding angle or a round angle, the welding surface 33 a, 33 b is required to attach to the bending part 31 a, 31 b of the adjacent fin, and is fixed thereto by laser spot welding or argon welding, spot gluing and adhering to assemble the heat-dissipating fin assembly.
Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, another heat-dissipating fin assembly 4 is provided. The connecting part 42 a, 42 b extends from the turning portion T of the bending part 41 a, 41 b and protrudes from the turning portion T. An end of the bending part 41 a, 41 b includes an indentation disposed with respect to the connecting part 42 a, 42 b of the adjacent first fin 4 a and the adjacent second fin 4 b. When the fin 4 a is connected with the second fin 4 b, the connecting part 42 b of the second fin 4 b is disposed with respect to the indentation 43 a of the first fin 4 a and is connected with the first fin 4 a. The first fin 4 a is connected with the second fin 4 b by welding (for example, laser spot welding or argon welding), a spot gluing or adhering to be assembled. The first fin 3 a, 4 a and the second fin 3 b, 4 b is made of copper, aluminum, iron, magnesium or alloys thereof.
The present invention further provides a method of assembling the heat-dissipating fin assembly. The steps include first, stamping a sheet material which is made of copper, aluminum, iron, magnesium or alloys thereof to form a first fin 3 a, 4 a and a second fin 3 b, 4 b by a tool machine (for example, a stamping machine). Each of the first fin 3 a, 4 a and the second fin 3 b, 4 b includes a body 30 a, 30 b, 40 a, 40 b, a bending part 31 a, 31 b, 41 a, 41 b and a connecting part 32 a, 32 b, 42 a, 42 b, respectively. The bending part 31 a, 31 b, 41 a, 41 b is formed by bending an end of the body 30 a, 30 b, 40 a, 40 b in a predetermined direction N. The connecting part 32 a, 32 b, 42 a, 42 b is located near a turning portion T of the bending part 31 a, 31 b, 41 a, 41 b in the end of the body 30 a, 30 b, 40 a, 40 b and extends opposite to the predetermined direction N. Next, a tool is driven to straighten upright and arrange the first fin 3 a, 4 a and the second fin 3 b, 4 b. At last, the first fin 3 a, 4 a is connected with the second fin 3 b, 4 b. The connecting part 32 a, 42 a of the first fin 3 a, 4 a is directly connected with the second fin 3 b, 4 b or arranged with the second fin 3 b, 4 b with an appropriate indentation therebetween. By welding (for example, laser spot welding or argon welding), spot gluing or adhering, the first fin 3 a, 4 a can be assembled to the second fin 3 b, 4 b.
As described, the heat-dissipating fin assembly 3, 4 and the assembling method thereof of the present invention are implemented by arranging the fins formed by stamping, with a driving tool, and fixing the fins by welding. Therefore, the assembled heat-dissipating fin assemblies 3, 4 have enhanced intensity, the entire fin assembly will not fall off easily, and the size thereof is well controlled. When the heat-dissipating fin assembly 3, 4 of the present invention is welded to other heat-dissipating components, floating solder can be eliminated, thus it increases heat-conducting efficiency. Additionally, material is fully utilized, subsequently reducing waste material, thus decreasing costs.
While the present invention has been described by way of example and in terms of preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited thereto. To the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements (as would be apparent to those skilled in the art). Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.

Claims

1. A heat-dissipating fin assembly, comprising a first fin and a second fin, wherein each of the first fin and the second fin comprises:

a body;

a bending part bent from an end of the body along a predetermined direction to form a turning portion; and

a connecting part, located near the turning portion of the bending part in the end of the body, extending opposite to the predetermined direction;

when the first fin is connected to the second fin, the connecting part of the first fin is connected with the second fin.

2. The heat-dissipating fin assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting part extends opposite to the predetermined direction to form an end comprising a welding surface.

3. The heat-dissipating fin assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the bending part further comprises an end surface, and when the first fin is connected with the second fin, the end surface of the bending part of the first fin is connected with the welding surface of the connecting part of the second fin.

4. The heat-dissipating fin assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the bending part is bent from the body to form a guiding angle or a round angle.

5. The heat-dissipating fin assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting part extends from the turning portion of the bending part and outwardly protrudes from the turning portion.

6. The heat-dissipating fin assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein an end of the bending part comprises an indentation disposed with respect to the connecting part of an adjacent fin.

7. The heat-dissipating fin assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein when the first fin is connected with the second fin, the connecting part of the second fin is disposed with respect to the indentation of the first fin and is connected with the first fin.

8. The heat-dissipating fin assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first fin is connected with the second fin by welding, spot gluing or adhering onto the connecting part of the first fin and the second fin.

9. The heat-dissipating fin assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the welding comprises laser spot welding or argon welding.

10. The heat-dissipating fin assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first fin and the second fin comprise copper, aluminum, iron, magnesium or alloys thereof.

11. A method of assembling the heat-dissipating fin, comprising steps of:

stamping a sheet material to form a first fin and a second fin, wherein each of the first fin and the second fin comprises a body, a bending part and a connecting part the bending part is bent from an end of the body to form a turning portion along a predetermined direction, and the connecting part, near the turning portion of the bending part at the end of the body, extends opposite to the predetermined direction;

arranging the first fin and the second fin straight and upright in order; and

connecting the first fin with the second fin, wherein the connecting part of the first fin is connected with the second fin.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the sheet material is stamped by a tool machine, or a stamping machine.

13. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the connecting part extends opposite to the predetermined direction to form an end comprising a welding surface.

14. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the bending part further comprises an end surface, and when the first fin is connected with the second fin, the end surface of the bending part of the first fin is connected with the welding surface of the connecting part of the second fin.

15. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the bending part is bent from the body to form a guiding angle or a round angle.

16. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the connecting part extends from the turning portion of the bending part and outwardly protrudes from the turning portion.

17. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein an end of the bending part comprises an indentation disposed with respect to the connecting part of an adjacent fin, and when the first fin is connected with the second fin, the connecting part of the second fin is disposed with respect to the indentation of the first fin and is connected with the first fin.

18. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first fin is connected with the second fin by welding, spot gluing or adhering, onto the connecting part of the first fin and the second fin.

19. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the welding comprises laser spot welding or argon welding.

20. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first fin and the second fin comprise copper, aluminum, iron, magnesium or alloys thereof.